The volcano-tectonic map of Etna volcano, 1:100.000 scale:an integrated approach based on a morphotectonic analysisfrom high-resolution DEM constrained by geologic,active faulting and seismotectonic data

A new volcano-tectonic map of Etna volcano has been compiled through a morphotectonic analysis performed with detailed field mapping, high-resolution DEM and orthoimages, constrained by seismotectonic data. In this study, we present a homogeneous mapping of the volcano-tectonic and tectonic elements on the whole volcano, consistent with the updated knowledge on the geology and active tectonics observed in historical times. Details of the tectonic features occurring in the lower-middle part of the volcanic edifice, namely the more densely urbanized areas, are described; volcanic elements such as eruptive fissures, caldera and flank collapse rims affecting the upper sectors, are also reported. All the volcanic landforms of Etna edifice have been generated by constructive and destructive volcanic processes largely during the last 15 ka activity of Mongibello volcano. DEM-derived images (e.g. slope and aspect maps) were produced and interpreted in order to identify faultrelated surface features based on an explicit list of well-known elements of tectonic geomorphology. Subsequently, the morphotectonic mapping has been compared with field data on geologic marker offsets, as well as evidence of surface faulting, including coseismic displacements and creeping of historical and recent events. This combined approach has enabled classifying each element reported in the map as (i) exposed faults, (ii) buried faults and (iii) hidden faults. The analysis of slip-rates confirms the exceptional dynamics of the Pernicana fault, which is characterised by an almost constant slip-rate of 20-36 mm/a over the last 1000 years, while the Timpe fault zone and the structural system in the southern flank accommodate a relevant amount of deformation with slip-rates reported to range of ca. 2-4 mm/a. Finally, a seismotectonic model summarises the information regarding seismic hazard, with reference to the additional, potentially severe effects induced by surface faulting.

[1]  Francesco Guglielmino,et al.  Flank instability on Mount Etna: Radon, radar interferometry, and geodetic data from the southwestern boundary of the unstable sector , 2007 .

[2]  Thomas R. Walter,et al.  Feedback processes between magmatic events and flank movement at Mount Etna (Italy) during the 2002-2003 eruption , 2005 .

[3]  Christian Heipke,et al.  Topography of Mars from global mapping by HRSC high-resolution digital terrain models and orthoimages: Characteristics and performance , 2010 .

[4]  Boris Behncke,et al.  The role of the Pernicana Fault System in the spreading of Mt. Etna (Italy) during the 2002–2003 eruption , 2004 .

[5]  G. Groppelli,et al.  Geological map of Mount Etna West Rift (Italy) , 2010 .

[6]  Robert S. Yeats,et al.  The geology of earthquakes , 1997 .

[7]  Ralf Jaumann,et al.  High-resolution Digital Terrain Models from Mars Express HRSC Data , 2009 .

[8]  J.-C. Tanguy,et al.  L'Etna: évolution structurale, magmatique et dynamique d'un volcan «polygénique» , 1993 .

[9]  Eugenio Sansosti,et al.  Gravity and magma induced spreading of Mount Etna volcano revealed by satellite radar interferometry , 2004 .

[10]  Gianluca Groppelli,et al.  Geological map of Etna volcano, 1:50,000 scale , 2011 .

[11]  Environmental Hazard of Capable Faults: The Case of the Pernicana Fault (Mt. Etna, Sicily , 1998 .

[12]  A. Tibaldi,et al.  Fracture control on type, morphology and distribution of parasitic volcanic cones: An example from Mt. Etna, Italy , 2006 .

[13]  G. D. Guidi,et al.  The Morphotectonic map of Mt. Etna , 2010 .

[14]  Giuseppe Puglisi,et al.  Dynamics of the eastern flank of Mt. Etna volcano (Italy) investigated by a dense GPS network , 2006 .

[15]  Giuseppe Puglisi,et al.  Dynamics of Mount Etna Volcano inferred from static and kinematic GPS measurements , 2004 .

[16]  R. Azzaro,et al.  Estimating the Magnitude of Historical Earthquakes from Macroseismic Intensity Data: New Relationships for the Volcanic Region of Mount Etna (Italy) , 2011 .

[17]  A. Tibaldi,et al.  Control of rock rheology on deformation style and slip-rate along the active Pernicana Fault, Mt. Etna, Italy , 1999 .

[18]  Eugenio Sansosti,et al.  Detachment depth revealed by rollover deformation: An integrated approach at Mount Etna , 2010 .

[19]  A. Borgia,et al.  Importance of gravitational spreading in the tectonic and volcanic evolution of Mount Etna , 1992, Nature.

[20]  F. Mazzarini,et al.  Flank Cones at Mount Etna Volcano: Do they have a power-law distribution? , 2001 .

[21]  W. McGuire,et al.  Location and orientation of eruptive fissures and feederdykes at Mount Etna; influence of gravitational and regional tectonic stress regimes , 1989 .

[22]  Geometric and kinematic variations along the active Pernicana fault: Implication for the dynamics of Mount Etna NE flank (Italy) , 2007 .

[23]  P. Carveni,et al.  Geomorphology and seismotectonic elements in the giarre area, sicily , 1993 .

[24]  C. Cotton Volcanoes as Landscape Forms , 1969 .

[25]  Giuseppe Puglisi,et al.  Structural assessment of Mount Etna volcano from Permanent Scatterers analysis , 2011 .

[26]  K. Gwinner,et al.  High‐resolution, digital photogrammetric mapping: A tool for Earth science , 2000 .

[27]  Eugenio Sansosti,et al.  Anatomy of an unstable volcano from InSAR: Multiple processes affecting flank instability at Mt. Etna, 1994–2008 , 2010 .

[28]  M. Pareschi,et al.  Morphometry of scoria cones located on a volcano flank: A case study from Mt. Etna (Italy), based on high-resolution LiDAR data , 2009 .

[29]  G. Groppelli,et al.  40Ar/39Ar isotopic dating of Etna volcanic succession , 2011 .

[30]  Mauro Coltelli,et al.  Discovery of a Plinian basaltic eruption of Roman age at Etna volcano, Italy , 1998 .

[31]  P. Tapponnier,et al.  Late Quaternary slip rates on the Acireale-Piedimonte normal faults and tectonic origin of Mt. Etna (Sicily) , 1997 .

[32]  R. Azzaro,et al.  New evidence for the form and extent of the Pernicana Fault System (Mt. Etna) from structural and soil–gas surveying , 1998 .

[33]  Eugenio Sansosti,et al.  Anatomy of an unstable volcano through InSAR data: multiple processes affecting flank instability at Mt. Etna in 1994-2008 , 2010 .

[34]  M. Neri,et al.  Structural features of an active strike-slip fault on the sliding flank of Mt. Etna (Italy) , 2005 .

[35]  S. Branca,et al.  An example of river pattern evolution produced during the lateral growth of a central polygenic volcano: the case of the Alcantara river system, Mt Etna (Italy) , 2001 .

[36]  E. L. Giudice,et al.  Very shallow earthquakes and brittle deformation in active volcanic areas: The Eatnean region as an example , 1992 .

[37]  G. Patané,et al.  Recent seismicity of Mount Etna: implications for flank instability , 1996, Geological Society, London, Special Publications.

[38]  G. Natale,et al.  Coseismic displacements and creeping along the Pernicana fault (Etna, Italy) in the last 17 years: a detailed study of a tectonic structure on a volcano , 2001 .

[39]  M. Rovere,et al.  The results of the Taormina 2006 seismic survey: Possible implications for active tectonics in the Messina Straits , 2009 .

[40]  M. Coltelli,et al.  Continental margin large-scale instability controlling the flank sliding of Etna volcano , 2011 .

[41]  M. Neri,et al.  The boundaries of large-scale collapse on the flanks of Mount Etna, Sicily , 1996, Geological Society, London, Special Publications.

[42]  A. Michetti,et al.  First study of fault trench stratigraphy at Mt. Etna volcano, Southern Italy: understanding Holocene surface faulting along the Moscarello fault , 2000 .

[43]  J. Guest,et al.  The valle del bove, Mount Etna: Its origin and relation to the stratigraphy and structure of the volcano , 1985 .

[44]  A. Tibaldi,et al.  Volcano-tectonic activity along structures of the unstable NE flank of Mt. Etna (Italy) and their possible origin , 2002 .

[45]  R. Azzaro,et al.  Terremoti con effetti macrosismici in Sicilia orientale nel periodo Gennaio 2006 - Dicembre 2008 , 2006 .

[46]  Fault creep and kinematics of the eastern segment of the Pernicana Fault (Mt. Etna, Italy) derived from geodetic observations and their tectonic significance , 2001 .

[47]  R. Azzaro Earthquake surface faulting at Mount Etna volcano (Sicily) and implications for active tectonics , 1999 .

[48]  M. Neri,et al.  Late overthrust of the Apennine-Maghrebian Chain at the NE periphery of Mount Etna, Italy , 1997 .

[49]  A. Di Stefano,et al.  Long‐term uplift rate of the Etna volcano basement (southern Italy) based on biochronological data from Pleistocene sediments , 2002 .

[50]  C. Monaco,et al.  Morphological evidence of Holocene coseismic deformation in the Taormina region (NE Sicily) , 2003 .

[51]  S. Catalano,et al.  Late Quaternary uplift of northeastern Sicily: relation with the active normal faulting deformation , 2003 .